Some psychiatric practitioners specialize in helping certain age groups; child and adolescent psychiatrists work with children and teenagers in addressing psychological problems.[2] Those who work with the elderly are called geriatric psychiatrists or geropsychiatrists.[2] Those who practice psychiatry in the workplace are called industrial psychiatrists in the US (occupational psychology is the name used for the most similar discipline in the UK).[2] Psychiatrists working in the courtroom and reporting to the judge and jury, in both criminal and civil court cases, are called forensic psychiatrists, who also treat mentally disordered offenders and other patients whose condition is such that they have to be treated in secure units.[2][3]

In the U.S. and Canada one must first complete their Bachelor's degree, or in Québec complete a premedical course of study in Cégep.[4] Students may typically decide any major of their choice, however they must enroll in specific courses, usually outlined in a pre-medical program.[4] One must then apply to and attend 4 years of medical school in order to earn their M.D. or D.O. and to complete their medical education.[4] Following this, the individual must practice as a psychiatric resident for another four years (five years in Canada). Psychiatry residents are often required to complete at least four post-graduate months of internal medicine or pediatrics and two months of neurology during the first year.[4] After completing their training, psychiatrists take written and then oral board examinations.[4] The total amount of time required to complete post-baccalaureate work in the field of psychiatry in the United States is typically 8 to 9 years.